Apply Online

Applications to the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences (WCGS) are accepted in seven programs of study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

An applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing and show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by his or her previous record.

Students may apply to one of the following predoctoral programs:

Biochemistry & Structural Biology*

Cell & Developmental Biology*

Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis

Molecular Biology*

Neuroscience

Pharmacology

Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology

*The programs in Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Cell & Developmental Biology and Molecular Biology operate as an alliance known as the BCMB Allied program. Students applying to any one of these programs are automatically considered for admission to the BCMB Allied program.

Students are admitted for each academic year, which is defined by the start of courses in September. The application process occurs in the preceding academic year.

Instructions for Completing and Submitting a PhD Application

Application to the PhD programs must be made using the "ApplyYourself" online process. Please note:

Applicants for admission must be graduates of an accredited college or university and must show evidence of fitness for advanced work as indicated by their scholastic records, training, and experience.

All application forms and supporting documents can be submitted online. You will be asked to submit or upload:

Unofficial transcripts of all previously attended colleges and universities. An official transcript will be requested from accepted students prior to matriculation.

Unofficial GRE score reports from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Aptitude (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) Test. Official scores must be sent directly to the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ. The Institution Code Number is 2119. Please visit http://www.ets.org/gre for more information.

TOEFL scores for students whose native language is not English. Register to take the TOEFL at http://www.ets.org/toefl.. The Institution Code Number is 2119.

Three letters of recommendation from professors or other professionals who are in a position to judge your preparation and fitness for graduate work in the proposed program(s) of study. Letters must be submitted electronically as instructed in the "Apply Yourself" online application.

An application fee of $60, payable by check, money order, or credit card online to the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, must be submitted at the end of your application. A link to a payment voucher for inclusion with your check or money order will be provided at the end of the online application submission process. You may mail a check or money order with your payment voucher to:

WEILL CORNELL GRADUATE SCHOOL

OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

1300 York Avenue, Box: 65

New York, NY 10065, USA

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1

Fee Waiver

Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences does not want financial need to prevent students from applying. We therefore offer fee waivers to applicants who:

Can justify financial need.

Participated in a special program or conference designed to support underrepresented students in science (e.g. The ACCESS Summer research program, Leadership Alliance, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)).

Applicants can request a fee waiver by sending the following information to gradrecruitment@med.cornell.edu: name, date of birth, and special program/conference information (name of the special program or conference, date of participation, and proof of participation) or justification of financial need. Fee waiver applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Approved fee-waiver applicants will receive an email reply with a one-time fee waiver code and instructions on how to use it.

Admissions Process

The completed application and supporting information is initially screened by an admissions committee of the program of study to which the student is applying. The strongest candidates are invited to attend the Graduate School's "Recruitment Days" held in February. During this two-day period, applicants experience program orientation; personal interviews; and opportunities to interact with fellow applicants, current graduate students and faculty.

Following "Recruitment Days," each program forwards recommendations on candidates for acceptance to the Graduate School Dean for final decision, who then notifies candidates of their acceptance. The final date for acceptance is April 15.

Cornell University's history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status.

Related Links

The 2015-2016 application submissions is now closed. Please check back again next year to apply.